Punjab National Bank( PNB), Delhi pulled off a narrow 3-2 win against Union Bank of India, Mumbai for their second win in Pool ‘B’ league of the 12th PMC Bank-Guru Tegh Bahadur All India Gold Cup Hockey Championship, organized by MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Monday. Sanjay S. scored twice in the 10th and 66th minutes and Gagandeep Singh got one in 60th minute for Punjab National Bank while Union Bank reduced the margin through goals from Harjeet Singh in the 23rd minute and Vinit Shetty in the 46th minute.
Vinay Walmiki (no. 15) scores FCI’s 5th goal during the team’s 8-4 win against Mumbai Customs in a Pool-A league match of the 12th PMC Bank-Guru Tegh Bahadur All India Gold Cup Hockey Championship.
In another Pool B encounter, Western Railway, Mumbai produced a solid strong performance to inflict a crushing 3-0 defeat on CAG (Comptroller Auditor General), Delhi to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the semi-finals from this pool.
Full backs Amit Rohidass, who has been scoring consistently from short-corners converted two more goals from set-pieces in the third and 41st minutes, while teammate Ayyappa scored the third goal to complete the win for the railwaymen.
Western, who have a match in hand against bottom-placed Hockey Bhopal top the pool with seven points from 2 wins and a draw. For CAG this was their first defeat after two wins against Hockey Bhopal and Union Bank. CAG and Punjab National Bank both have 7 points each and they clash in the concluding pool match on Tuesday. The outcome of the two matches would decide which two teams progress to the semi-finals from this pool.
FCI’s hard-working midfielder Mithilesh Kumar (right) receives the ‘Man of the match’ award from Mr. Gurdip Singh Chandhok (2nd left), Vice-President, MHAL. Also seen in the photo are, Ram Singh Rathor (2nd right), MHAL, Hon. Secretary and Mangha Singh Bakshi, MHAL President.
Later in an inconsequential Pool A encounter, FCI (Food Corporation of India), Delhi stormed to an emphatic 8-4 win against Mumbai Customs, Mumbai.
Harjeet Singh (Union Bank of India), Ayyappa (Western Railway) and Mithilesh Kumar (FCI) were declared the ‘Man of the match’ in their respective matches and all received a cash prize of Rs 1,000 each.
Results – Pool B: Western Railway 3 (Amit Rohidas 3rd, 41st, Ayyappa 53rd) beat CAG 0. Man of the match: Ayyappa (Western Railway).
Pool-B: Punjab National Bank 3 (Sanjay S. 10th, 66th, Gagandeep Singh 60th) beat Union Bank of India 2 (Harjeet Singh 23rd, Vinit Shetty 46th). Man of the match: Harjeet Singh (Union Bank of India).
Pool A: FCI 8 (Prithiraj Solanki 10th, Akash Pawar 25th, 26th, Mithilesh Kumar 30th, 42nd, Vinay Walmiki 36th, Imran Khan 66th, Vinod Manugude 69th) beat Mumbai Customs 4 (Jayesh Jadhav 43rd, 61st, Rahul Singh 51st, Jitender Singh 56th). Man of the match: Mithilesh Kumar (FCI).